Wanna be a 'HEMI(R) Star?'

Wanna be a 'HEMI(R) Star?'

Dodge Announces National Talent Search for New HEMI Guy Who Will co-star in Ad Campaign to Launch the New 2006 Dodge Ram 1500

* Open casting call to be held October 8, 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., and October, 9 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. at the Texas State Fairgrounds Dodge Outdoor site

* New HEMI Character to Co-star in National Television Campaign for the New 2006 Dodge Ram 1500 Pickup Truck

WHAT: Dodge brand is giving one lucky person a chance to co-star as a HEMI Guy in a new advertising campaign that will launch the new Ram 1500 pickup truck.

Open casting calls will be held across the country in search of a new side-kick for HEMI Guy No. 1, Jon Reep, who is best known for his famous line, "That thing got a HEMI?" Audition tapes may also be mailed to Dodge, for information visit http://www.dodge.com/hemistar .

Print advertising promoting the talent search features HEMI Guy No. 1's picture placed next to a cutout white space where his ex-sidekick once stood and reads, "YOU ARE HERE," is currently running both nationally and locally.

A commercial featuring only HEMI Guy No. 1 will air in late October and let consumers know what happened to HEMI Guy No. 2, whose signature line was "Sweeet."

HEMI Star finalists will be posted on the HEMI Star Web site (http://www.dodge.com/hemistar ) in late October. Consumers will have the opportunity to vote, narrowing the candidates down to two. In early November, an event will be held for the finalists and HEMI Guy No. 1 will choose his own new co-star.

The original HEMI Guys appeared in their first commercial in 2002, since then, five additional commercials featuring the two HEMI-loving characters have aired. Advertising that has included the HEMI Guys has achieved some of the highest scores across all advertising categories tested by Millward Brown, a market research consultancy that has copy-tested more than 34,000 ads worldwide and conducts advertising related research for 70 of the Top 100 USA advertisers.

WHO: Interviews available upon request, please contact Suraya DaSante at 248-512-4889

WHEN: October 8, 2005 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. October 9, 2005 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

WHERE: Dallas, Texas State Fairgrounds at the Dodge Outdoor Site

DETAILS: For a list of all audition locations, information on the competition, and where audition tapes can be mailed, visit http://www.dodge.com/hemistar . All entries must be postmarked by Oct. 8, 2005.

OTHER: All six original HEMI Guy commercials and the print advertising promoting the talent search are available on http://www.media.daimlerchrysler.com/

NOTE: Additional information and news from DaimlerChrysler is available on the Internet at: http://www.media.daimlerchrysler.com/

CONTACT: Suraya DaSante of Chrysler Group, +1-248-512-4889, sd114@daimlerchrysler.com

PRNewswire -- Oct. 3

Source: Chrysler Group

Web site: http://www.dodge.com/hemistar http://www.media.daimlerchrysler.com/ http://www.daimlerchrysler.com/

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